Senegal's GDP grows 1.2% in first quarter of 2026

This growth was primarily driven by the tertiary sector, which saw its value added increase by 3.6%, largely due to a 20.4% rise in the information and communication sub-sector. Conversely, the primary and secondary sectors faced declines. The secondary sector contracted by 1.1%, impacted by decreases in construction -7.2%, refining -6.0%, and agri-food industries -2.9%.

The primary sector decreased by 0.3%, mainly due to a 6.9% reduction in fishing activities, despite a slight increase of 0.8% in livestock farming. Annually, economic performance remained robust, with real GDP showing a 5.8% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025. This annual growth was supported by the secondary sector, which grew by 8.6%, driven by extractive activities +20.4% and hydrocarbons +21.1%.

Regarding demand, overall final consumption increased by 4.9%, contributing to economic growth. However, investment saw a significant decline, with gross fixed capital formation GFCF decreasing by 11.8% quarter-on-quarter, due to reductions in public investments -22.3% and private investments -10.8%. Foreign trade also slowed, with imports decreasing by 8.6% and exports by 16.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025.

This led to a deterioration in the balance of goods and services deficit, which